The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-08-17

room is lcafy roof under which table is
made with the smooth side of the
ubiquitous slab uppermost, the supports
being trees sawed of at the needed
height. Along the sides of the table seats
are arranged, and occupying these seats
| just at present are the campers, finishing
the MONDAY meal and discussing with
absorbing interest plans for securing &
great store of logs and planks which
Steenie had discovered in bend of the
river, wedged in among the rocks. To
raft them down and bring them in, to
add to the large pile already drying a
few feet from the fire protected by slop-
ing slabs) against the proverbial rainy
day, would be an afternoons work for
the boys. Careful Martha, pail in hand,
has started for the blackberry patch, a
few rods away.
Left to her own sweet company. Miss
Fleming proceeded to enjoy herself in
her own way. With an armful of books
within reach. she ensconced herself in her
own particular hammock, with Car
(who was evidently overburdened with a
sense of his responsibility in this unusual
state of affairs, very wide awake, lying
on the ground at her side
Dipping here and there, now into one
book, then into another, and varying the
monotony by occasionally slipping out to
replenish the fire, she finally became en-
amored of "Hiawatha," and read it
steadily to the end. Folding her idle
little hands under her fanciful little head,
she was soon lost in waking dream, in
arepose that was almost sleep. The lofty
trees were the forest primeval, the "lodge"
a awigwam, and she herselfa dusky maiden
awaiting the return of the stately red
skinned warriors from the chase.
She was reused from her reverie by a
low growl from the watchful Car; in the
one moment she heard a cracking of
twigs, and the next saw, with startled
eyes, II masculine figure emerge from one
of the side paths, and heard surprised
81 beg your pardon, madam, but have
been wandering in this infer-this beastly
laurel thicket the greater part of the day.
Can you direct me to the"
BY this time, Bess, fully awakened,
had decided with womanly intuition that
the intruder was gentleman in the full
est sense of the word, and noting the
wcariness in the quiet words and the
steady brown eyes, she rose quickly,
with hospitable purpose intent but with
her thoughts still tinged with "Hiawa-
tha,n she said, " nhimsically:
If the pale-faced stranger tarry by
this campfire until the warriors return,
they will guide him through the forest
to the wigwam he seeks"
81 think will not trouble you" be-
gan the other, uneasily; but the brave
daughter of the forest, made as usual
more determined by opposition, said,
firmly;
'But the child of the bald-headed
eagle will be obeycd, and, seconded by
Car, who was plainly divided between
the conflicting desire to swear eternal
friendship to the newcomer or to spring
upon him with fell intent, she motioned
him to the hammock she had Just left.
Bcss watched him with puzzled eyes as
he flung himself upon her cushions, See
ing the pallor about the firm mouth that
told of physical suffering, an inspiration,
born of her experience as the sister of
three brothers, came to the rescue, and
with hopeful face she said; "Watch him,
Gar, and moved quickly away.
In few minutes the fragrant odor of
coffee was waited to the straggler with
such rcviving effect that he opened
widely his nearly closed eyes and gazed
with deep interest on the busy figure at the
fire before him. Aside from her occupa-
tion, so pleasing to the manly contempla-
tion, the figure itself was well worthy of
study. The slim, 1.-THE young form was
clothed in a dark green flannel, without
furbclows or snarls of any kind to per-
plex the eye. The rebellious dark hair
hung in n heavy braid behind, and cs-
capped in wavy locks on the smooth fore
head. The fire had flushed the sweet
face that was brooding with such an alb
sorbed expression over the cotfee-pot.
In II second more the coffee-pot was
steaming on hot stone by the fire, and
Miss Fleming disappeared in the direo-
tion of the murmuring river, to reappear
with some bright little tin pals dripping
with cool water. From one of these some
trout were gayly sputtering over the cool
fire; then from a mysterious chest APP
peared fresh bread, and from other pals
golden butter, cream and blackberries,
and our traveller was soon partaking of a
most appetizing little repast, under
which reviving influence he forgot the en-
barrassment that had nearly consumed
him. Soon responsive chord was struck
by two nature-loving hearts, and they were
chatting like old friends. Bess pro-
duced Il curious bug that puzzled her
natural history, and the brown hair and
the dark bent over it. At this thrilling
moment the raftsmen, each with an arm
full of planks, arrived on the scene. The
biologists turn.
"Boys, this gentleman" began
Bess.
"Val Graham" exclaimed the three, in
startled chorus.
"Whol Not Val Graham" cried
Bess, with horror-tilled eyes and paling
check; but, reading confirmation in the
faces before her, she drops hastily tne
precious bug, flashes an angry glance at
the owner of that name, and turning,
runs swiftly into the woods.
"What have l donei Who is she, he
asks, with peplexed look.
"Why, it's our Bess, and she knows
you hate girls, and won't want her here.
How did you happen to come! Thought
you were sick" questioned the boys, al
together.
$50 / was, but l am better; only l
lost myself in this maze and nearly
tramped myself to death--if it hadn't
been for her coffee, he continues, awk-
wardly. "How could l hate 10 have